[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by JourneyOfLife

To me it this sounds like an over reaction to an accurate descriptor.

The word "oldster" is not a pejorative.

oldster - definition of oldster by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_age#Definitions

Matter of fact, it is a very accurate description.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vi...a#Demographics

I don't think the substitute description in your post is an accurate meaning of the word....

Great Post:

One part mentioned:
Official definitions

""Old age comprises "the later part of life; the period of life after youth and middle age . . . , usually with reference to deterioration"

When old age begins cannot be universally defined because it shifts according to the context. The United Nations has agreed that 60+ years may be usually denoted as old age,and this is the first attempt at an international definition of old age. However, for its study of old age in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) set 50 as the beginning of old age. At the same time, the WHO recognized that the developing world often defines old age, not by years, but by new roles, loss of previous roles, or inability to make active contribution to society.

Most developed Western countries set the age of 60 to 65 for retirement and old-age social programs eligibility. However, various countries and societies reckon the onset of old age as anywhere from the mid-40s to the 70s. Furthermore, the fact that life expectancy beyond 80 has become widespread has shifted definitions of old age."""

We remember being middle aged, in our 40's when our kids were at university and later married.....hubby is now 69 and I turn 69 next month. Having the grandchildren come along certainly set the record straight as far as who were the "oldsters" in our family. Our parents are all gone, our aunts and uncles are all gone. To pretend that we are the younger generation would be crazy.

I can still remember when we were in our late 20's and 30's, one lady in her 60's REFUSED to be called "Grandma" and DEFINITELY WOULD GET IRATE if anyone called her a "senior citizen"......
Go figure. I've been called Grandma, grammy, gram, nana, you name it. I'll take them all, proudly. And we are young at heart and young in spirit. WE even watch THE VOICE.

Thank you for your post.

P.S. 40 IS MIDDLE AGED AS IT IS HALF OF 80.......NOT EVERYONE SURVIVES TO 80.
I have two middle aged adult children........we are definitely NOT physically in their league and don't pretend to be.